Dec 6, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
701
In 1922, Chandler breaks down Chinese poetry
Estate / Collection: The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection of Raymond Chandler
CHANDLER, RAYMOND
Typed essay and list of techniques from Yen Yu’s Discourse on Poetry. A six page typescript on half sheets held by a nail, on the first five pages Chandler has typed out "The Definition of Poetry" from "Yen Yu's Discourse on Poetry written about A.D. 1200," this taken from Peng Chun Chang's translation published in Dial in September 1922, the last page of this with a five line pencil notation by Chandler; the sixth page is a list of twelve items that Chandler has headed in pencil "Twelve elements of Technique" and at foot has written "RTC Original." The sheets 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (21.5 x 14 cm). Toned but generally fine.
A student of writing in his younger years, here Raymond Chandler has typed out a discourse on Chinese poetry and has provided his own 12-point analysis at the end. Of these 12 points, which do not all relate to poetry, Chandler has for instance written as "9. The difficulty of modern literature is to find a subject which has not been spoiled by vile workmanship exhausted by genius." Also, at this time Chandler was writing the fantasy stories that are offered in this collection, rendering his point 11 as worthy of including here: "Fantasy is not a cult of the impossible, but a bringing together of beauties which are usually separated by artistically irrelevant sequences of causation."
Sold for $608
Estimated at $700 - $1,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection of Raymond Chandler
CHANDLER, RAYMOND
Typed essay and list of techniques from Yen Yu’s Discourse on Poetry. A six page typescript on half sheets held by a nail, on the first five pages Chandler has typed out "The Definition of Poetry" from "Yen Yu's Discourse on Poetry written about A.D. 1200," this taken from Peng Chun Chang's translation published in Dial in September 1922, the last page of this with a five line pencil notation by Chandler; the sixth page is a list of twelve items that Chandler has headed in pencil "Twelve elements of Technique" and at foot has written "RTC Original." The sheets 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (21.5 x 14 cm). Toned but generally fine.
A student of writing in his younger years, here Raymond Chandler has typed out a discourse on Chinese poetry and has provided his own 12-point analysis at the end. Of these 12 points, which do not all relate to poetry, Chandler has for instance written as "9. The difficulty of modern literature is to find a subject which has not been spoiled by vile workmanship exhausted by genius." Also, at this time Chandler was writing the fantasy stories that are offered in this collection, rendering his point 11 as worthy of including here: "Fantasy is not a cult of the impossible, but a bringing together of beauties which are usually separated by artistically irrelevant sequences of causation."
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Dec 6, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on December 6, 2024
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Books, Autographs & Maps
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle held a successful auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps onDecember 6, 2024 showcased is a wonderful diversity of Americana, maps, autographs, early books and landmarks of literature and science.
Highlighting the sale was the first edition of Spinoza's Tractatus theologico-politicus from 1670 that soared to $70,350. Spinoza’s Tractatus is his only work published during his lifetime and remains his most significant. It presents a clear theory of natural right, asserting that the love of God leads to love for others. The state exists to ensure liberty, not oppression, with justice, wisdom, and toleration as key. Influential to thinkers like Blake and Goethe, it shaped Romanticism.
The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection offered the largest trove of unpublished Raymond Chandler stories, poetry, letters, books and personal artifacts to come to market. Best known for his Philip Marlowe detective novels including The Big Sleep (1939) and Farewell, My Lovely (1940) and as screenwriter of film noir classics such as Double Indemnity (1944) and The Blue Dahlia (1946), Raymond Chandler is considered one of the top writers in the hardboiled fiction genre alongside Dashiell Hammett and James Cain. Held for decades, the archive belonged to Jean Fracasse [later Vounder-Davis] who was first hired in January 1957 as Chandler's personal secretary but quickly became his close friend, confidant, fiancé and muse to whom he dedicated his last book.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
